Galaxy's Gonzalez, DeLaGarza, Chivas USA's Pearce called into U.S. January camp
More than half the 20-players on the roster have two caps or less for the full national team, and five will be seeking their first appearance including A.J. DeLaGarza, whose fine 2011 season with the MLS Cup-winning Galaxy was fully deserving of a call-up.
The central defender was also part of last year's January camp, but didn't see action in a game.
Only two players on the roster feature for foreign clubs.
The camp opens Jan. 3 in Phoenix, switches to Home Depot Center for a week from Jan. 13-20, then heads back to Arizona for the Jan. 21st game against Venezuela before the team heads to Panama for a Jan. 25 encounter with that nation.
"This is a very important opportunity for these players," said Coach Jurgen Klinsmann. "They are the next in line behind the established players, and this is a chance to prove themselves. We will spend the next few weeks introducing them to our ideas on how we want to play and what it means to be a part of the national team. Ultimately, it will create more depth for us, which you need at this level. I'm very curious and excited to see this group."
The roster:
goalkeepers: Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
defenders: Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), A.J. DeLaGarza (Galaxy), Omar Gonzalez (Galaxy), George John (FC Dallas), Zach Loyd (FC Dallas), Michael Parkhurst (FC Nordsjaelland), Heath Pearce (Chivas USA)
midfielders: Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt), Benny Feilhaber (New England Revolution), Jeff Larentowicz (Colorado Rapids), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)
forwards: Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), Teal Bunbury (Sporting Kansas City), C.J. Sapong (Sporting Kansas City), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
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About 100 Percent Soccer
Sportswriter Nick Green has written the 100 Percent Soccer column since 2005 for the Daily News, Daily Breeze and other Los Angeles area newspapers. The blog of the same name began in 2007. A native of England, he began writing about soccer in the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat in the stands for one in the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer and is married to a long-suffering soccer widow. Join Nick on FaceBook and follow him on Twitter.
Is Todd Dunivent too old to rock & roll but too young to die? I'll take him over Pearce any day?
Too bad we won't have our usual game at the HDC. Not sure who will get the starting nod on defense. Studs, I'll grant you Todd D. is a better player in MLS, but Heath has more history playing at the international level and can provide experience to the younger players trying to break out.
I assume Hamid will start in goal. I think Beckerman, Clark, Feilhaber, and Shea will make a formidable midfield. If Clark doesn't see the field we'll know his pine time in Frankfurt was well earned. I am guessing Juan and Chris up top.
U....Z,
Sub Larentowics for Clark and I'll go with your midfield.
Yes, Dunivent is not international caliber but neither is Pearce. Given the dearth of left-footed players, Klinsmann should give Todd a look see.